Suction cleaner



Jan. 14, 1936. w. A. FRANTZl 2,028,090

' sUcTIoN CLEANER origixal Filed Dep. 13, 1929 INVENTOR Bral tr A Jfnanlz ATToRNEY Patented Jan, 14, I1936 UNrrED STATES lm'rlezN'r OFFICE l 2,028,090 SUCTION CLEANER Walter A. Frantz, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, as

signor to The Apex Electrical Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 13, 1929, Serial No. 413,825

Renewed March 26, 1934.

24 claims;

thermore adapted to be readily applied to various,-

. other types of vacuum cleaners as will be apparent to one skilled in the vacuum cleaner art upon exanimation of the disclosure of the following speci- 'flcation and appended drawing.'

One of the objects of this invention is to pro- "vide a separable vacuum cleaner casing having a simple locking mechanism that may be readily fastened or unfastened to permit easy access to l the interior of the casing andthe operating parts Aof the 'cleaner'. i f Another object of this invention is to provide a two piece cleaner casing having hinged orinterlocking sections to facilitate the opening and closing of the same.

A further object of this invention is to provide' a vacuum cleaner having a motor driven brush with a two-piece casing so constructed and formed I as to materially reduce the noise produced by the 30. cleaner when in operation and at the -same time permit the use of modern manufacturing methods in the fabrication of the casing and the assembly of cleaner parts.

Stated in general terms, my invention consists in the provision of a horizontally split two-piece cleaner casing, the lower half of which supports a revolving brush,4 motor and fan and the upper half of which forms a cover that engages or is hinged to the aforementioned lower half ofthe casing to provide a suction nozzle and anenclosure for the motor, fan and brush. Y Important advantages result from the use of ny improved two-piece cleaner casing. Manufacturing costs can be reduced, as the two halves of 4" the casing can be made from die castings which process cuts down the cost of the original casting as well as the cost of finishing the same. 'Ihe cleaner parts may be'more easily assembled in the open casing and when in the .hands ofthe user ready access to the interior of the casing is obtained for cleaning, olling, repairing or adjusting the cleaner parts.

With the aforementioned and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features shown and disclosed in the following specifications and f accompanying drawing and particularly pointed out and dened in the appended claims.

lIn the drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a vacuum cleaner embodying my invention; Fig.

2 is an enlarged sideV elevational view of the clean- 5 5 er shown in Fig. 1 with the' cleaner casing in openv position; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the cleaner with certain of its parts shown in section; Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4 4 Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the cleaner 10 with a portion of the cleaner nozzle broken away to show mounting of the carrier wheels and handle bail; Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a modiiied arrangement for the interlocking of the upperand lower parts of the cleaner casing. l5

The` cleaner shown in the drawing consists of a portable suction cleaner having a horizontally divided casing including an upper half I and a lower half 2, which'are locked together by a suita able fastener 3. The cleaner is mounted on over- 2,0 sized wheels 4 which are of such size that itis not necessary to support the nozzle on separate casters as the large size of the cleaner wheels maintains a substantially constant clearance with the iioor lcovering for the movement and engagement of 25 the cleaner nozzle.

Attached to the rear' end of the cleaner casing is a 4dust bag or lter 5 which is attached at its upper end to the handle 6. An electricextension cord 1, adapted to be supported on the handle 6 30 when not in use is in electrical connection with the wire 8 leading to the cleaner motor.` The han-` dle 6 is secured to the bail 9 which is in turn journaled to the lower half 2 of the cleaner casing. 'I'he lead wire 8\ from the cleaner motor is 35 provided with a separable connector 3| which is V adapted to be inserted in a complementary con- I nector supportedin the lower part of cleaner handle 6 which is in electrical connection with-the cord 1. l 40 The cleaner motor consists of a suitable electric motor (not shown) carried in a dust and air tight housing I3 which is suitably supported in the lower half 2 of the` cleanercasing.' The cleaner motor is provided with a' shaft I5l which forms at 4" its outer end a belt pulley adapted' to drive the brush Il by means of the belt I6. Immediately adjacent the motor, the 'fan I4 is carried on the shaft I5 in order to provide the necessary suction- -for the cleaningoperation. '50 The cleaner brush I1 is provided with suitable bearings (not shown) at its outer ends which are journaled on the non-rotating shaft I8 that is detachably carried in the slot 20 of the plate IS. The plates I9 are secured in` the ends ofthe venting the transmission to said casing of electrical currents and sound producing vibrations, the complementary parts of said casing cooperating-one with the other when united to provide an air passageway comprising a suction nozzle, fan chamber and a discharge outlet; a dust bag, means including a vbag coupling iordetachabiy securing the casing parts to each other at a point adjacent to the discharge outlet, and intertting means for securing the Acasing halves to each' other in a displaceable manner at a point remote from the discharge outlet whereby the halves of said casing may `be readily separated to permit access to the cleaner parts.

'1. In a vacuum cleaner, a motor having a rotatable shaft, a fan carried by saidshaft, a rotatable brush, power transmission means lbetweensaid brush and the shaft of said motor, a'

sectional casing for inclosing and supporting the aforesaid elements, the sections of said casing cooperating with each other to form a fan charnber, a suction nozzle and a discharge outlet communicating` therewith, meansfor securing the sections of said casing together, adust bag, a bag coupling therefor arranged for detachable 4securement to the portions of the casing sections forming the discharge outlet, and means cooperating with said bag coupling for securing the sections ofsaid casing together in a manner to permit the ready displacement of the sections of said casing.

8. In a vacuum cleanena motor having an operating shaft, a suction fan carried by the shaft of said motor, a rotatable brush, power transmission means between said brush and the shaft of said motor, a sectional casing for inclosing and supporting the aforesaid parts, inter,-

fltting means for securing together the casing sections in assembled relation adapted to permit. the ready separation of thecasing sections for obtaining access to the elements inclosed in said casing, the sections of said casing cooperating A with each other to form a fan chamber, a suction nozzle and a discharge outlet communicating therewith, a dust bag, and a. bag coupling there-r for, the portions of the casing sections denning the discharge outlet being arranged for detach-v ably receiving said-bag coupling.

9. A vacuum cleaner comprising, a motor and 1 casing comprising mating halves defining a sucfan unit having a driving shaft extending therefrom, a rotatable brush, driving connections between said brush and the extended shaft of said motor, support members-for said' brush, and a two-piece casing for inclosing and supporting the vaforesaid parts comprising complementary sections cooperating to form. a suctionnozzle, fan chamber and discharge passageway and outlet;

. a dust bag connected to said outlet, and means Vthe casing sections.

comprising a bag coupling for detachably securl ing the casing of the cleaner, an

10. A vacuum cleaner comprising. a suction fan, a motor therefor, a rotatable brush, brush supporting members. driving connections between said motor and brush, a casing for inclosing and supporting said fan, motor, brush, brushvsupportsuction. nozzle,

ing members and brush driving connections comprising mating cooperating to form a fan chamber and motor housing, Said moto!" a-I'ldsad mpportingmembersinsaideasinma us',

communicating-with the outlet ofsaid fan chiunmeansfor securing tion nomle` whereby ber and in tertting means at one end oi' said casing and detachable mea-ns at the opposite end thereof for securing the sections of said casing to each other in a readily displaceable manner to permit access to said fan, motonbrush, brush supporting members and brush driving connec-v -tions without disturbing the securement of said `motor and brush supporting members in said casing. -V

f 11'. A lvacuum cleaner comprising, a suction fan, amotortherefor, a rotatable brush, driving connections between said motor and brush, a casing for inclosing and supporting said fan, motor, brush and brush driving connections comprising mating sections cooperating to form a suction nozzle, fan chamber and discharge outlet, a dust bag and a coupling therefor detachably engaging the portions of the casing sections forming the discharge outlet for removably securing said bag in place, and means for securing the seotions of said casing to each other in a displaceable manner to permit access to said fan, motor,

brush and brush driving connections.

l2. A vacuum` cleaner comprising, a motor, a

fan driven thereby, a,rotatable brush, driving connections between said motor and brush, and

la sectional casing for inclosing and supporting said motor, fan, brush and brush driving connections having a single displaceable section for permitting access to all of the aforesaid elements without disturbing their relative position or oper- `ative relation, and quicklydetachable securement means for holding the sections of said casing in their assembledand operative position.

13. A vacuum cleaner comprising, a motor, a

fan driven thereby, a rotatable brush, driving r connections between said motor and brush, and a casing formed from a plurality of sections defining asuction'nozzle, fan case and housing" 'for inclosing and supporting the aforesaid elements, one of the sections of said casing` being displaceable to permit access to said motor.4 fan,

brush, Land `brush driving connections without disturbing their 'supporting connections with said casing, and releasable securcment means for holding the sections of said casing in their assembled and operative position.

14. In a vacuum cleaner, a sectional cleaner tion nozzle, afan case, motor housing and discharge outlet, interiltting means remote from the discharge outlet for securing thecasing halves to each other; a motor, an associated suction fan, a revolving brush and power transmission means between said motor and brush all inclosed in and i carried by said casing, adust bag, and an assoing defining a fan case and a communicatingsuction chamber terminating in a suction nozzle having a downwardly presented working mouth, a

fan in the fan case, and means for driving said formed from a plurality fan, said casing being oi cooperatings'ections including upper and lower sections each forming in part at least the walls of the fan case, suction chamber and suction noz.

- zle, the nozzle forming portions of said upper and -iower sections having :juxtaposed edges located above the level of the working mouth of the sucthe lowermost edge portion l iining a fan case and a communicating suction nozzle having a downwardly presented working mouth with horizontally extending lips defining the lowermost portion oi the casing, said casing being formed from a plurality of cooperating casing parts with certain of said casing parts having juxtaposed edges located in verticallyspaced substantially horizontal planes the lowermost of which traverses the suction nozzle at a point just above and adjacent to the working mouth thereof, one 'of said casing parts formingl in part at least the section of the nozzlel located below such plane as well as a part of the walls of the fan case, said casing parts also having other juxtaposed edges extending between the aforesaid horizontally disposed edges thereof.

17. In a suction cleaner, a sectional casing defining a ian case and a communicatingsuction nozzle having a thickened marginai portion orming a downwardly presented working mouth at the lowermost portion of the casing, said casing being formed from aplurality oi cooperating' casing parts having'juxtaposed edges located in vertically spaced substantially horizontal planes the lowermost of which traverses the suction nozzle at a point just above the working mouth thereof. a fan in the fan case of said casing, a brush rotatably mounted in the nozzle of said casing, and an operative driving connection between said fan and brush, saidcasing'having a displaceable wall part to permit easy access to the driving connection of said brush.

18. In avacuumv cleaner, a suction fan, a driving motor therefor, a brush, members for rotatably supporting said brush, driving connections between said motor and brush, and a sectionally constructed casing forming a suction nozzle, fan case and motor housing for inclosing and supportingthe aforesaid cleaner elements, said casing comprising a. unitary section forming in part' at least the walls of the suction nozzle, fan case and motor housing and a readily displaceable cas-V 1 ing motor therefor, and a sectionally constructed casing forming a downwardly directed suction nozzle, fan case and motor housing for inclosing and supporting the aforesaid cleaner elements,v

tion having top, side and end walls dening in part at least the walls of the suction nozzle, fan case and motor housing and merging into each other to provide an unbroken exposed outer sur face which may be readily polished; said upper section having provisions for the attachment in to each other as to provide cavities in the interior of the section `with non-reentrant sides whereby the said section may be formed with non-collapsible dies.

20. In a vacuum cleaner, a suction fan, a driving motor therefor, and a sectionally constructed casing forming a downwardly directed siiction nozzle, fan case and motor housing for innozzle and fan case and merging into each other to provide an unbroken exposed outer surface which may be readily polished, said upper section having provisions for the attachment in a readily displaceable manner of other of said sections whereby access may be had to the fan without rst requiring the use of tools in separating the casing sections, the walls of the upper section having surfaces so disposed with respect to each other as to provide cavities in the interior ofthe section with non-reentrant sides whereby the said section may be formed with non-collapsible dies. y

21in a suction cleaner, a sectional casing defining a fan case and a communicating suction chamber having a beaded marginal portion forming a downwardly presented working mouth, said casing being formed from a plurality of cooperating casing parts with certain of said casing parts having juxtaposed edges located in spaced substantially parallel Vplanes one of which traverses the suction chamber at a point just above the working mouth thereof, one of tor housing, a fan in said fan case, a motor in' said motor housing forvdrlving said fan having a shaft projecting therefrom into the suction chamber, a rotatable brush in said suction chamber, driving connections in said suction chamber between said shaft and brush, and means for rotatably and removably supporting said brush in said suction chamber, said casing having a readily displaceable part hinged-to the casing for permitting easy 'access to said brush and brush driving connections.

23. A vacuum cleaner comprising a suction fan, a rotatable brush, an electric motor, driving connections between said motor and said fan and brush, a `casing for the housing of said mo-f tor, fan and brush, formed from a plurality of sections and deiining the exterior 'weils of a suction nozzle, fan case and motor housing, one oi' the sections oisaid casing being di. integral construction With a hollowed-out portion for accommodation of the motor and farming in part at least the walls'ofthe suction nozzle, fan case and motor housing, means for su porting saidmotor, fan and brush fromthe holl wed-out section of said casing, the sectionsjof said casing being displaceable one from the other .without disturbing the attachment of said motor, fan and brush with respect to the hallowed-out section oi said casing, and detachable securement means forholding the sections of said` casing in their assembled and operative position.

24. A vacuum cleaner comprising a suction fan, a rotatable brush, an electricmotor. driving connections between said motor and said fan and brush, a casing for the housing of` said moi tor, fan and brush, formed from a plurality of out disturbing the attachment of said motor, fan and brush with respect to the hollowed-out sec'- sections and dening the exterior wallsv of a suc` tion nozzle, fan case and motor housing, one of the sections of saidv casing being of integral construction with a hollowedmut portion for accommodation ofthe motor and forming in part at least the walls' of the suction nozzle, fan case and motor housing', means for supporting said motor, fan and brush from the hollowed-out section of said casing, the sections of said cas- 10 ing being displaceable one from the other withtion of said casing, the mounting of said motor including' resilient elements interposed between said motor and casing to provide a. flexible mounting for the motor, and detachable securement means for holding the sections of said casing in their assembled and operative position.' 7

WALTER A. FRANTZ. 

